Friendship is no doubt a gift from the Lord.  In each friend He gives us, He always includes a special lesson that stays with us forever.  Friends bring many joys and memories—adventurous hikes, long talks, wet boat rides, sticky and messy crafts, long but fun camping trips, not-so-successful cooking, and sharing how God has been working in each others’ lives.  Thank God for your friends and pray for them each day.  Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times…”
   
Personally, I am grateful for the fellowship and encouragement the Lord provided to me through many godly friends.  After a period of loneliness and praying for a friend, He brought into my life several girls who have truly made a difference.  

“Mom, may I please invite a friend over today?”  Elizabeth requested. 
   
“Yes, you may, dear,” replied Mama, “as soon as you finish chores and school.”  Later that afternoon, Elizabeth and Victoria were sitting on the porch happily deciding how to spend the afternoon.
   
“I know, why don’t we play that we each own a little store and we can buy and sell things to each other with our play money?” suggested Elizabeth.
   
“Yes, that would be fun!” Victoria said agreeing with her friend.
   
Skipping cheerfully into the living room, the girls began to set up their stores.  Then a thought popped into Elizabeth’s mind, Maybe I should check with Mom and make sure she doesn’t mind if we make a mess in the living room.  Oh well, I don’t know where Mom is, and Victoria might think I’m silly.  After working busily, the whole living room was full of merchandise on display.
   
Hearing a sweet voice, Victoria turned around.  It was Elizabeth’s little sister, Hannah.  “Can I play too?” Hannah asked.
   
Oh no, she’s too little and we’ll have to help her.  Why did she have to come along?  Sour thoughts were filling Victoria’s mind.  “No, why don’t you play over here with these markers and coloring books?” Victoria said hastily as she shoved the little girl into another room.
   
A few minutes later Mama walked inside from checking the mail.  She was a very patient and kind mother, but a shadow of disappointment crossed her face.  “Girls, I need to have dinner ready and the house clean soon because we are having a special guest for dinner.  Where is baby Hannah?”  When Mama found Hannah, she looked up and flashed a rainbow colored smile at Mama while waving a chewed-up marker in her hand.
   
​Later, before bed, Mama sat down with Elizabeth.  “Let’s see what the Bible teaches us about friends:

Are you looking for an inexpensive, nice, fun Christmas gift to make?  Maybe one of these will be just what you’re looking for!  Have fun! :)
 
Soap by Sharon
Buy melt and mold soap base and cut off a small section that will be easy to work with.  Cut into small chunks.  Put the soap chunks into a microwave safe bowl and melt in the microwave for 15 seconds.  Stir and melt 15 seconds again until fully melted.  Add soap coloring of your choice and a scent you like.  Stir.  Pour in to your mold and let cool.  When it is completely set and cool, pop it out of the mold.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  These make wonderful presents.  Grandmothers especially like the wonderful smell and feel of this soap.  Enjoy!!
 
Coat Hangers by Tiffany
Get a wired coat hanger that is not bent. :)  At Wal-Mart on the crafts section you can find a bag of Craft loops by “Create A Craft”.  (The directions may be on the back of the bag.)  Join the loops to make continuous yarn, and then when you have what you think is long enough, wrap it around the coat hanger.  Where the hanging part goes, use one loop to make a bow at the top.  These are so pretty!! 
 
Potholders by Tiffany
At Wal-Mart on the craft aisle you can find a potholder making set.  It has a loom and the craft loops.  Probably the kit will come with nylon loops, but when you are done with those, the cotton loops are much bigger and nicer.  Follow the directions on the box.  Try making a pattern when weaving such as all white across, and then pink and purple across.  Or for Christmas, red intertwined with green.  These make great gifts for moms and grandmothers.  Even younger kids can do them, with the help of a big sister or their mommy. Have fun!! 
 
Creative Gift Ideas by Cheryl

1. Soup or soup mix- “Wishing you a ‘souper’ Christmas!”
2. Wire whisk-(filled with Chocolate kisses) “We WHISK you a Merry KISSmas!”
3. Christmas Tray- “We ‘Tray’sure your friendship.  Merry Christmas!”
4. Measuring Cup- “Wishing you joy beyond measure!”
5. Flowers- “You make friendship bloom all year. Merry Christmas!”
6. Bananas- “If we could chose our friends, and searched the whole world through, we’d go bananas trying to find a better bunch than you!  Merry Christmas!”
7. Candle- “May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year bright!”
8. Filled Basket- “Wishing you a basket full of Christmas blessings!”

Hello Girls,
  
For my family, hospitality is very important. And I can’t say that we have always done hospitality the same way, which is why I would like to share my stories and some suggestions of hospitality.
  
First of all, hospitality and family boils down to the same thing: to bring glory to God. Then it is clear to see that:
  
​The family is powerful.

Anyone who spends even a small amount of time on computers is familiar with the convenient “undo” button. :) It is in Microsoft Word, all of the craft and card programs, and even some games.  But I have learned that in the reality of life, there is no undo button.  When I make a mistake or say something I later regret, I cannot take it back.  I can do my best to fix it, but I can never take back the past- what happened yesterday, last month, or last year.

Sometimes standing alone can be, well...lonely. I guess that’s obvious, but it’s also good to know and consider. There are different types of standing alone. There is the kind that we all expect; the difference between us believers and the rest of the world. And then there is the other kind of standing alone, the kind that can easily leave us very discouraged and disillusioned. I’m talking about when folks you’ve been close to take other paths, or when folks you trusted ended up proving untrustworthy. Maybe you’ve shared glorious fellowship with them, and you felt such a close bond with them. It was like a little piece of heaven. You held discussions on your common convictions, and they encouraged you in what you both mutually believed.

   Then things changed one day. You realized that you were no longer walking the same path. You were standing alone.

I cannot think of anything more damaging to the inward and outward beauty of a girl, than bitterness. It is a seed, that once planted, begins to choke out the grace and sweetness of a young maiden and is terribly hard to get rid of. The plant grows rapidly, and sends out new shoots that produce more seeds and can easily spread to others. Let me tell you about some ways this seed is planted, how it spreads, and what you must do to get rid of it.

Giving is really so very rewarding!  It is to be seen as a privilege, a joy!  Here are some pointers from Scripture concerning our opportunity to give.